Payment

The Howard County Public School System recently transitioned to a new online meal payment system, MySchoolBucks.com. This website allows families to easily manage student accounts and make payments online on personal computers and mobile devices.

Nutrition

For more information on the HCPSS wellness policy, and information on nutrition and allergens, please visit the Food Services site.

Health Room

An absence note is required for every absence, within 24 hours of your child returning to school. When your child has returned, please send a note to his/her classroom teacher. The note should include:

Your child's first and last name

Your child's grade/homeroom teacher

The date of the absence

The reason for the absence

NOTE: If student was out due to a reportable condition (I.E. strep, influenza, chicken pox, whooping cough (pertussis), etc.) we ask that a note from the childs' physician be provided to the health room for confidential tracking purposes

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

School Health Protocols

Medication - Students may not carry any medication (prescription or over the counter, including cough drops, Tylenol, inhalers) Parents should contact the health room should their child require any type of medication.

General Illness - Students who have fevers should stay home until they are free of fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. Students should stay home until they are feeling better and are ready to participate in school activities.

Communicable Diseases - Please see NOTE above

Head Lice - Head Lice is not a communicable disease. Please notify the health room if your child has been treated for head lice. Information is kept confidential and only used to track for trends.

Health Forms

Medication Form - A Medication Form is needed if a child needs to receive medication during school hours. The form has to be completed by the doctor and signed by the parent. Medication must be delivered to the health room by the parent. Contact the health room for details if needed.

Auto Injector Form (e.g. Epi Pen/Auvi-Q) - An Auto Injector Form is needed if a child has food allergies severe enough to case anaphylaxis. The form has to be completed by the doctor and signed by the parent. Medication must be delivered to the health room by the parent. Contact the health room for details if needed.

Physical Education/Activity Assessment Form - A Physical Education/Activity Assessment Form is needed if a child needs excused from PE and//or Recess for longer than 5 days. The form has to be completed by the doctor and signed by the parent and returned to the health room.

Physical Exam Form - A Physical Exam Form must be completed 9 months prior to entering the Maryland Public School System or 6 months after. The form has to be completed by the doctor and signed by the parent and returned to the health room.

Proof of Immunizations must be provided by your child's health care provider and must be signed and/or stamped.

Lead Form - A Lead Form is needed for PK-K-1st Grade students if you have lived in specified zip codes in Maryland. The form must be signed and returned by the parent unless they have lived in specified zip codes and their child will need to be tested.

Dental Health Form - A Dental Health Form is needed to provide record that the child is receiving dental care.

Health Survey - A Health Survey is needed to register your child for Maryland Public Schools.

Students in Need of Health Coverage

The Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) gives full health benefits for children up to age 19 and their families. Call the Howard County Health Department at (410)313-5845 extension 111 to see if you are eligible.

Before and After School Care

Child care referrals for before and after school programs can be obtained by calling

Accident and Medical Insurance

Accident Insurance

The school system does not carry medical insurance for accidents that occur
at school, including non-sport related injuries, such as trips and falls,
physical education injuries, and recess/playground injuries. Thus, parents are
encouraged to enroll students in the accident insurance program offered through
HCPSS.

Medical Insurance

The Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (MCHIP) is available for
families, pregnant women, and children in need of medical insurance.
Applications are available through the school health assistant or by contacting
the Howard County Health Department at 410-313-7500.